Orthopedic walking appliance



April 25, 1961 Filed May 20, 1957 O. M- SUNDBERG ORTHOPEDIC WALKING APPLIANCE Z5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

0545 A1. SU/VDBEEG,

BY mw Apn] 25, 1961 o. M. SUNDBERG 2,981,312

ORTHOPEDIC WALKING APPLIANCE Filed May 20, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTOR. 0445 M. (Sm/05596,

rraeA/Ex April 1961 o. M. SUNDBERG 2,981,312

ORTHOPEDIC WALKING APPLIANCE Filed May 20, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 0,445 111. SM/055 96, z BY ORTHOPEDIC WALKING APPLIANCE Olle M. Sundberg, 2730 Peck Ave., San Pedro, Calif.

Filed May 20, 1957, Ser. No. 660,338

19 Claims. (Cl. 155-22) The present invention relates to walking apparatus and appliances adapted for use by the aged or infirm, invalids, and others requiring assistance or support in walking, as well as for use by children who are learning to walk. Invalids or disabled persons, or those afilicted with muscle or nerve diseases, such as poliomyelitis, muscular dystrophy, paraplegia, and similar diseases, generally require assistance or support in walking or in attempting to walk, and in addition it is frequently desirable for such persons to exercise through walking to stimulate circulation, strengthen muscles, improve coordination and the like.

In order to safely utilize walking appliances or sup porting devices, it is necessary that such devices should be both strong and safe, light in weight, and readily transported and stored. Heretofore, walking devices of this type have not been fully satisfactory, since if the user should lose his balance, or slip or stumble, the walking appliance would tend to move forwardly or sideward under the suddenly applied weight of theuser, thereby causing the user to fall or lose control of the equipment.

In applicants copending application, Serial No. 349,368, filed April 17, 1953, now Patent No. 2,792,874, of which this application is a continuation-in-part, he has described an improved type of walking appliance in which automatic braking means is provided to stabilize the apparatus and to provide a highly effective and safe walking appliance which will enable the user to maintain his balance and control of the equipment through the automatic application of such braking means.

The present invention represents 'a modification and improvement over applicants aforesaid device, wherein effective and stable support is provided for the user to gether with effective braking action, and at thesame time the appliance is so designed that it may be simply and readily folded together for compact handling and storage.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide an orthopedic walking appliance which is light, strong, and safe to use. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a walking appliance, in which automatic braking means is provided to enable the user to retain his balance and to rely on the appliance for support at all times. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an orthopedic walking appliance which may be readily folded for storage or handling and which may be readily reassembled for use.

- Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and specification appended below.

In the drawings:

Figure'l is an isometric view of a walking appliance of the present invention shown assembled and ready for use;

T Fig. 2 is a vertical partial transverse cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. l;

, Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 1;

tates PatentC Fig. 4 is a view taken in side elevation of the walking appliance of the invention; I

Fig. 5 is a front view in elevation of the appliance of the invention;

Fig. 6 isan additional front elevational view of the appliance of the present invention preparatory to folding thereof;

Fig. 7 is a top elevational view of a portion of applicants invention, illustrating the manner of folding;

Fig. 8 is an additional top elevational view of a portion of the apparatus, illustrating a further stage in the folding procedure;

Fig. 9 is a still further top elevational view, illustrating a portion of the apparatus of the invention in its folded condition.

Referring first to the appliance as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, of the drawings, the device is preferably formed of a framework of tubular members of steel or aluminum, in order to provide strength as well as lightness of weight. The front section is composed of a horizontal crossbar 10 and vertical tubular members 11 and 12 providing means for supporting the handle bar and guiding member, which is formed of transverse horizontal member 13 and rearwardly bent or extending arms 14 and 15. These are afiixed to downwardly depending members 16 and 17 which are telescopically and slidably supported within members 11 and 12, respectively, and retained in the desired position by means of clamps 18 and 19 which surround split ends 20 and 21 formed in members 11 and 12, said clamps being tightened by means of bolts or the like 22 and 22a. The side frames of the device are formed of two pairs of generally U- shaped inverted tubular members, each with downwardly depending leg members in which one pair of such members is attached to the central frame as shown, with horizontal crossbar members 23 and 24 being formed with downwardly depending members 25, 26 and 27, 28, respectively. Downward leg extensions 29 and 30 depend, respectively, from members 26 and 28, and are pivotally supported thereby as further described below. Each of these last-named members carries a wheel caster, as shown at 31 and 32. Members 11 and 26 and 12 and 28, respectively, are held together by means of clamp members 33 and 34. Each of these clamps is in the form of a looped strap partially engaging each member, with the ends thereof opposed and drawn together by means of bolts 33a and 34a, respectively. Clamp 33 is attached to member 26 by spot welding or the like, in order to prevent slippage, and the same holds true for clamp 34 which is similarly attached to member 28. Members 11 and 12 are free to move upward within the loops of the respective clamps in order to disengage them from crossbar member 10, for reasons to be further described below. Members 29 and 30 are provided with upwardly extending extensions of reduced diameter, 35 and 36, which are designed to fit within tubular members 26 and 28 to permit pivoting of said members when the appliance is folded, as will be described hereinafter. Members 25 and 27, respectively, are provided with braking feet or similar members in the form of rubber pads or the like 37 and 38.

The second pair of inverted U-shaped members is formed in a manner similar to the first pair, except that horizontal cross members 39 and 40 are positioned somewhat below the corresponding cross members of the first pair, and the downwardly depending members 41, 42 and- 43, 44 are arranged so that casters 45 and 46 are attached to their rearward members and the brake members 47, 48 are attached to the forward members of the second pair as shown. The respective leg members are preferably so arranged that they are side by side in front with front wheel members positioned between the front;

3 outward slightly to better accommodate the user and to provide for the rear brake members being positioned in alignment with those in front: The first pair of U-shaped members with downwardly. depending legs is positioned above and spaced from corresponding members ofv the second pair by means of pivoted spacing members, as illustrated moreparticularly in Figs. 1' and 3. 'Sucha member, positioned between upper horizontal'member 23 and lower horizontal'rnember 39, is shown .in detail in Fig; 3 and a similar and corresponding member is positioned between horizontal members 24- and 41). This spacing member consists of. pairs ofinterengaging. members or-plates 49, 5h, 51, 52 and'49a, 50a, 51a and 5221 which are, respectively, Welded to tubular members 23, 39 and 24, 40, and are preferably formed or curved into saddle-shaped members resting upon. them as shown; These" members are arranged for pivotal movement around bolts 53 and 53a which pass through openingsin said plate members. A second pair of movable or slid able spring loaded spacing members is also positioned between members 23, 24 and 39, 40, respectively, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2. This member. is composed of telescopic tubularmembers 54 and. 55 enclosing a spring 56, and corresponding opposite members 54a, 55a enclosing a similar spring. Saddlemembers 57, 58 and 57a, 58a engage crossmembers 39, 23 and 40, 24, respectively, and normally maintain thedesired' spacing between the horizontal tubular members through the action of spring 56 which urges the saddle members against 23, 39 and 24, 4G to maintain the desired spacing. The lateral position of these spring loaded members is adjustable with respect-t0 the position of the pivoted spacer by sliding toward or away therefrom. In this way the amount of force or leverage required to force the brake members into engagement with the floor may be regulated.

It will thus be apparent that during operation-of the appliance the user will position his body between rearwardly extending handle members 14 and 15 and his hands will engage said members. Brake members 37, 38 and 47, 48 are normally spaced from the floor surface, since the length of the corresponding downwardly depending members 25, 27, 43 and 44 is adjusted to provide forsuch normal spacing. This will permit the appliance to move forward upon the casters upon propulsion by the user. In the event the user wishes to stop the appliance or if he should tend to fall or lose his balance, the application of the-downward force upon members 14 and 15 will exert leverage through downwardly depending members 16, 11 and 17, 12, andthen through members 26, 23 and 28, 24,- causing pivoting of the respective pairs or" downwardly depending members about bolt 53 and the corresponding bolt of the opposite spacing member, at the same time depressing spring 56 as well as the spring in the opposite spring loaded spacer, with the result that braking members 37, 38 and 47, 48'will be forced into engagement with the fioor surface; thus stabilizing the appliance and causing it to come to animmediate stop. Upon release of the downward pressure, the springs will return the brake members to their normally elevated position, and the device canagain'be propelled on the wheels.

The height of the handle members 1'4-and 15 may be readily adjusted by loosening clamps 18 and 19 through the adjustment of bolt members 22 and 22a, thus permitting vertical members 16 and 1-7 to be slidably moved within members 11 and 12 until the desired height is attained, after which the clamps may be again tightened. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the handle bar assembly has been lowered by loosening the clamps. The normally elevated position of the brake members is also illustrated. When it is desired to store the appliance, .the handle member may be removed entirely by loosening the clamps and Withdrawing members 16 and 17 from telescopic engagement with 11 and 12. This is illustrated Fig. 6.

' anem a In folding the appliance for handling or storage, the procedure" which is illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 is followed. After the handlemembers with their vertical supports 16 and 17 have been removed from 11 and 12 by loosening of clamps 21 and 22, clamps 33 and 34 are then loosened and members 11 and 12 raised from engagement with horizontal member 111'. The end areas of these members are notched or cut out in saddle shape so thatthey normally fit over and engage corresponding areas 61"and'62of cross member iii. The assembly is then in the position illustrated in Fig. 7. Cross member 10 is thenswung outward in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 7, causing downward depending leg members 29 and 30 to pivot within members 26 and 28 about telescopic members 35 and 36, with the result that these members will then be aligned in the position illustrated in Fig. 8. Member 24 is then folded inward in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 8, pivoting about extension 36 of member 30, with the result that it will be folded against members It and 23 in the manner shown in Fig. 9. At the sametime, the other members associated with 23 and 24, including leg members 25, 27 and 26, 28', as well as 41', 42and'4 3, 44of the second pair of U-shaped members which is attached to the first pair through spacing members, will allbe aligned in a relatively flat position as illustrated in Fig. 9, with the result that the entire unit maybe readily stored.

As will, be evident to those skilled in the art, various modifications of the invention can be made in the light of the foregoing disclosure, without departing from the spirit-and scopeof the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Theinventor claims:

1. An appliance for supporting a person in a walking position comprising a frame structure, said frame structure including a lower member having traction wheels and brake members engageable with a supporting surface and an uppermember having traction wheels and brake members engageable with the supporting surface, means pivotally connecting said upper member to said lower member, spring means engaging said upper and lower members to maintain said brake members normally disengaged-from the supporting surface, and supporting means for a person engageable with said upper frame structure, said supporting means being movable downwardly by the person to pivot the upper member and lower frame member with respect to each other and engage said brake members with the supporting surface.

2. An appliance for supporting a person in a walking position comprising a frame structure having front and rear traction wheels thereon rollable ona supporting surface, said structure including upper andlower pairs of spaced side members between which a person can stand and walk, each of said pairs of side members having downwardly depending brake members and wheel supporting means, pivotally movable spacing means positioned between and affixed to said upper and lower members, spring means positioned between said upper and lower members maintaining said brake members in a normally disengaged position, and supporting means carried by said frame structure associated with said upper members, said supporting means being movable downward under pressure from said person, whereby said upper members will pivot with' respect to said lower members at the same time forcing said brake members into engagement with-said supporting surface.

3. An appliance for supporting a person in a walking position which comprises a frame structure having spaced side members between which a person can stand, said side members each having a substantially horizontal member, a downwardly depending front member having a traction wheel attached thereto and a downwardly depending rear member having a braking means attached thereto, a front crossbar member interconnecting said frontmembcrs, a pair of spaced rearwardly extending person supporting members attached to said front members for supporting a person positioned between said side members, a pair of spaced inverted substantially U-shaped members each comprising a horizontal member, a front downwardly depending member having a brake member attached thereto, and a downwardly depending rear member having a traction wheel attached thereto, each of said U-shaped members being positioned with said horizontal members thereof beneath and substantially parallel to the horizontal members of said side members, said horizontal members being attached to each other by a pivoted member positioned therebetween whereby they can pivot vertically toward and away from each other, a spring loaded spacing member positioned between saidhorizontal members and spaced from said pivoted member, said spring and said pivoted member normally maintaining the respective wheel members in retracted position and said brake member in a normally retracted position, and whereby application of down- Ward pressure to said person supporting means will cause pivotal movement between the respective horizontal members and engagement of said braking members with said supporting surface.

4. An appliance for supporting a person in a walking position which comprises a frame structure having spaced side members between which a person can stand, said side members comprising; a first pair of laterally spaced inverted substantially U-shaped members each having front and rear downwardly depending leg members, wheel traction members attached to each of said front leg members and brake members attached to each of said rear leg members, said brake members being in a normally raised position from a floor surface, and a second pair of laterally spaced inverted substantially U-shaped members each having front and rear downwardly depending leg members, wheel traction members attached to each of said last-named rear leg members and normally disengaged brake members attached to each of said lastnamed front leg members, each of said pairs of U-shaped members having horizontal members arranged with the horizontal members of the second pair positioned beneath and spaced from the horizontal members of the first pair, pivoted spacing means positioned between and afiixed to said upper and lower horizontal members, and slidable spring loaded spacing members also positioned between said upper and lower members, whereby the application of pressure upon the upper of said horizontal members will cause a change in the spaced rela- :tionship between said upper and lower members through pivoting about the fixed spacing members and compression upon the spring loaded spacing members thereby resulting in the lowering of said brake members into engagement with the floor surface.

5. An appliance according to claim 4 wherein said first pair of U-shaped members is joined across the front leg members thereof by a crossbar member having spaced vertical uprights extending therefrom supporting handle members to be engaged by a user of the appliance, said uprights being attached to said first-named front leg mem bers whereby application of vertical pressure to said handle members will be communicated .to said leg members and thence to the horizontal members to exert leverage thereon and actuate said brake members.

6. An appliance according to claim 5 wherein the handle members are removable from said spaced vertical uprights, and means pivotally mounting a portion of each of said first-named front leg members with respect to said crossbar member whereby the assembly may be readily folded.

7. An appliance according to claim 6 wherein the vertical upright members associated with the horizontal crossbar member are detachable therefrom, whereby they will pivot with the front leg members to which they are attached.

8. An appliance according to claim 1 wherein said spring means is shiftable along said upper and lower frame members to regulate the force required'to pivot said frame members with respect to each other.

9. An appliance for supporting a person in a walking position comprising a frame structure having front and rear traction wheels rollable upon a supporting surface, brake means pivotally associated with a portion of said structure and adapted to engage said supporting surface by pivotal movement of said brake means with respect to said portion of said frame structure, and spring means operatively connected to said brake means and said portion of said frame structure and shiftable bodily along said frame structure to vary the force required to engage said brake means with the supporting surface.

10. An appliance for supportinga person in a walking position: a first frame portion; a second frame portion; said frame portions having wheels thereon rollable along a supporting'surface; pivot means pivotally connecting said frame portions to each other; a brake carried by one of said portions and adapted to engage the supporting surface; retaining means engaging said portions to normally retain said brake elevated above the supporting surface; and means for varying the distance between said pivot means and retaining means to vary the effective force of said retaining means in retaining said brake elevated above the supporting surface.

11. An appliance for supporting a person in a walking position: a first frame portion; a second frame portion; said frame portions having wheels thereon rollable along a supporting surface; pivot means pivotally connecting said frame portions to each other; a brake carried by one of said portions and adapted to engage the supporting surface; retaining means engaging said portions to normally retain said brake elevated above the supporting surface; and means mounting said retaining means for shifting along said portions to vary the distance of said retaining means from said pivot means.

12. An appliance for supporting a person in a walking position: a first frame portion; a second frame portion; said frame portions having wheels thereon rollable along a supporting surface; pivot means pivotally connecting said frame portions to each other; a brake carried by one of said portions to arrest movement of said frame portions along the supporting surface; retaining means engaging said portions to normally retain said brake in an ineffective position; and means for varying the distance between said pivot means and retaining means to vary the effective force of said retaining means in retaining said brake means in an ineffective position.

13. An appliance for supporting a person in a walking position: a first frame portion; a second frame portion; said frame portions having wheels thereon rollable along a supporting surface; pivot means pivotally connecting said frame portions to each other; a brake carried by one of said portions to arrest movement of said frame portions along the supporting surface; retaining means engaging said portions to normally retain said brake in an inelfective position; and means mounting said retaining means for shifting along said portions to vary the distance of said retaining means from said pivot means.

14. An appliance for supporting a person in a walking position: a first frame portion; a second frame portion; said portions having spaced wheels thereon rollable along a supporting surface; said first portion including a pair of spaced first side members; said second portion including a pair of spaced second side members; pivot means pivotally connecting said first side members to said second side members; a brake carried by one of said portions to arrest movement of said frame portions along the supporting surface; and spring means engaging said first side members and second side members to normally retain said brake in an ineffective position, said spring means being slidable along said first and second side members to vary the distance of said spring means from said pivot means.

15. An appliance for supporting a person in a Walking position: a firstframe portion; a second frameportion; said portions having spaced wheels thereonrollable along a supporting surface; said first portion including a pair of spaced first side members; said second portion including a pair of spaced second side members; pivot means pivotally connecting said first side members to said second side members; a brake carried by one of said portions to arrest movement of said frame portions along the supporting surface; and spring means engaging said first side members and second side members to normally retain said brake in an inefiective position, one of said means being slidable along said first and second side members to vary the distance between said pivot means and spring means. 1

16. An appliance for supporting a person in a walking position: a frame structure having wheels thereon rollable along a supporting surface; said structure including brake means pivotally mounted on at least a part of said frame structure to arrest movement of said structure along the supporting surface; retaining means engaging said part of said structure and brake means to normally retain said brake means in an inelfective position; and means for varyingthe distance between said retaining means and the pivotal mounting of said brake means on said part of said structure to vary the effective force of said retaining means in retaining said brake means in an ineffective position.

17. An appliance for supporting'a person inawalking position: a frame structure having wheels thereon rollable along a supporting surface; said structure including brake means pivotally mounted on at least a part of said frame structure to arrest movement of said structure along the supporting surface; retaining means engaging said part of said structure and'brake means to normally retain said brake means in an ineffective position; and means mounting said retaining means for shifting along said brake means and said part of said structure to vary 8 the distance of said retaining. means front the pivot axis of said brake means on said structure;

18. An appliance for supporting a person in a walking position: a frame structure havingwheels thereon rollable along a supporting surface; said structure including brake means pivotally. mounted on at least a part of said frame structure and adapted to engage the'suppo'rting surface; spring means engaging said part of said structure and brake means to normally retain said brake means elevated above the supporting surface; and means for varying the distance between said spring means and the pivotal mounting of said brake means on said part of said structure to vary the effective'force of said spring means in retaining said brake n.eans elevated above the supporting surface.

19. An appliance for supporting a'person' in a walking position: a frame structure having wheels thereon rollable along a supporting; surface; said structure including brake means pivotally mounted on at least a part ofsaid frame structure and adapted to engage the supporting surface;.spring means engaging said part of said structure and brake means to normally retain said brake means elevated above the supporting surface; and means mounting said spring means for shifting along said brake means and said part of said structure tovary the distance of said spring means from the pivot axis of said brake means on said structure.

References Cited in the file ofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,949,163 Kasten et a1 Feb. 27, 1934 2,176,551 Solem Oct. 17, 1939 2,314,478 Brower Mar. 23, 1943 2,537,909 Puddester Jan. 9, 1951 2.792.374 Sundberg May 21, 1957 2,847,057 Holcombe Aug. 12, 1958 

